Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious October 25, 2012 | News

Layla Bowman, 7, daughter of 1st Sgt. Adam Bowman, first sergeant for Co. B, 1-8 Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., looks out from the driver’s hatch on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle during the Mustang Family Field Day Friday at Fort Hood. Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Many spouses may not understand their Soldiers’ job or why they have to be in the field for weeks at a time, so to help give them a Soldier’s perspective, Families spent the day with their Soldiers during gunnery.

The “Mustangs” of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division hosted a Family Field Day Friday at Clabber Creek Multiuse Range.

Mustang Family members were invited out to the range to see a tank live-fire exercise, visit with their Soldiers, enjoy fall-inspired food and learn about the armor equipment, said 1st Lt. Aaron Scherffius, the battalion’s engineer officer.

The Mustangs’ Family Readiness Group helped organize the event, which brought Families together and raised their spirits.

“Family day was a big morale boost for the Soldiers,” Scherffius said. “Also, it allows the spouses and Families to gain a better understanding of what their Soldiers do and what equipment they use.”

Victoria Branam said she was very excited for this day as it was an opportunity to see her husband’s work up close and to spend time with him since his departure to the field almost two weeks prior.

“It is really cool and exciting. I have a better appreciation of what my husband does,” Victoria said, describing Family day.

“(Victoria) gets to see what I do – the equipment I use and how we as Soldiers bond,” said Adam Branam, a Mustang Bradley gunner. “The spouses also see the massive responsibility that is entrusted to (the Soldiers).”

Jenna Bowman said it was a great opportunity to get a detailed perspective on her husband’s work, but she was more excited just to see him, 1st Sgt. Adam Bowman, first sergeant of B Company, 1-8 Cav. Regt.

Seeing everything work in sync with all the components, she compared it to a Family.

“(Soldiers) are like a Family. In the field they are together, work together and stay in sync.”

Additionally, Soldiers were able to take pride in showing off their work and introducing their Families to other Mustang Families.

“Mustangs (Soldiers) show off their work; they have a lot of pride in what they do,” Scherffius added.

“I feel good showing off my expertise, no matter what area of work it is in. It gives me a sense of pride,” Adam Branam reiterated. “My wife and I were able to meet other spouses, which really helped complete field day.”

Speaking with numerous Family members, three positives came from the field day, said Lt. Col. Matt Kinkead, Mustang Battalion commander. As the entire Mustang force makes gunnery a success, so does the Mustang Families make their Soldiers a success.

“Speaking with wives of various Mustang Soldiers, I heard positives: They see how important their Soldier’s contributions to the unit are, they have a better perspective on life in the field and they know how much their support means to the battalion,” Kinkead added.

The next Family event is scheduled for December.